Tell us about one of the best-kept secrets in mission efforts going on in Midwest Presbytery in western Kansas. What is it called and when did it start?

This effort is called Revival on the Great Plains (RGP) and began five years ago with the common vision of men from three different traditions. One had recently come out of a Pentecostal work and was being convinced of the Reformed faith from his reading in Scripture and church history. Another had grown up in the Presbyterian Church USA and was led by the Lord to leave that denomination with his family; he is convinced of the Reformed position. Then there is the Quinter RP session.

One of the men describes our region as a “sound-doctrine desert,” which calls to mind Psalm 63B: “My soul is athirst for You. My flesh cries out for You from out a dry and thirsty land, a land where no water is.”

Who started this work, and how did it begin?

The man from the Pentecostal background had been visiting other Presbyterian fellowships in western Kansas, including some presbytery meetings. He had met a few men, one in particular who was convinced of God’s sovereignty. He had attended our worship services in Quinter several times. He suggested that it would be good to get together with these other congregations. Initially this fell on dead ears, but after further review we decided to get together to determine if there was something to be done here. The attendees of our first meeting on July 1, 2004, were our session and one other person. At the second meeting a week later, another person joined us. These meetings were held at a central location 60 miles from Quinter. At these meetings we discussed our vision of the ministry, the training required for this ministry, and the methods necessary to accomplish the ministry. Ideas from these initial meetings were used to prepare a statement of purpose with short-term and long-term goals, with requirements necessary to meet these goals.

How many people does this involve, and how often do you meet?

One of the surprising aspects of this ministry has been the number of people that have come and gone. Some have been very promising, and we have felt great disappointment when they have moved on. Our meetings have been as small as four men to more than twenty men, involving over half a dozen denominations and including ages from teenagers to senior citizens. For the organizational meetings we met weekly. Our plan is to meet monthly during the winter months. We have met in Leoti, Ness City, Dighton, Minneola, Utica and Quinter with the most frequent location being Ness City, Kan.

The vast expanse of the Great Plains and the falling number of residents are added challenges. Email and telephone communications as well as good roads and good vehicles are a great help in overcoming this difficulty.

What takes place at these meetings?

A typical meeting involves eating together, personal interaction, Bible study and prayer. During our first meetings we always introduced ourselves to each other with a personal testimony of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. When new men came, we would repeat this so that everyone would understand the basis of this fellowship.

Later, we did topical studies such as, What is the Reformed Faith? Why Pray if God Has It All Planned? What Is the Gospel? Is Idolatry an Issue Today? We also continued to refine our statement of purpose and goals.

Reformation Bible studies patterned after the “society meetings” held in Scotland and early America were detailed in Synod several years ago. Sam Wilkey introduced us to that format and gave us the materials distributed at Synod. We have adopted that format for our meetings. It follows Scripture’s direction given in 1 Corinthians 14:29-31.

A year ago we selected the Canons of Dort prepared in 1618, which are more commonly known as the Five Points of Calvinism, as our study topics. We had little conflict and were blessed in this study. This past year was spent studying the book of Hebrews. Since we only meet about six or seven times a season, we will continue our work in Hebrews this coming year.

Have you seen growth in your numbers of participants?

Yes, while our first meeting consisted of four men, our meetings last winter were averaging about twelve.

The Minneola, Kan., men have been a very important part of this work. Some of their congregational advertising brought two new men to the fellowship from Garden City. These men are anxious to organize a new congregation in Garden City. They have ties with a Reformed Baptist congregation in Lamar, Colo.

A new man from the Quinter community began attending last year. So we are hopeful for the coming season.

The actual battle for the lost, the battle against the wiles of the devil, is occurring within ourselves. The deceitful voice of the serpent within, “Can even God provide a table in the wilderness, that we may be supplied?” is a haunting question. So the battle rages in our own hearts, in our families, our congregations and in our communities. The RGP meetings are times of encouragement in the battle, as are our weekly gatherings for worship and prayer.

For what specific goals are you praying?

• That we can identify individuals, pastors and churches in this region that are interested in Reformed theology.
• That we may know God—His holiness and His reign—in every aspect of our experience.
• That we can encourage one another in the faith.
• For a strong Reformed congregation in every large town in western Kansas or any other town in this entire Great Plains region.
• That an organized presbytery of Reformed congregations, spanning the Great Plains of western Kansas and spilling over into Nebraska, Colorado and Oklahoma, will grow from this small beginning.

How has this encouraged you in your personal life and the life of the Quinter congregation?

This work has been very challenging for us: to present the whole word of God; to interact effectively with those whom the Lord is bringing; to stand steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; and to be obedient.

The fact that this work has continued for five years encourages us that the Revival on the Great Plains is in fact a work of the Lord.

We are encouraged to receive and believe Isaiah 35:1-2: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.”